Review: A Gift of Love by Martin Luther King Jr

I had no idea this volume of sermons by history making and beloved activist and Baptist minister Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr existed, let alone been republished as a Penguin Modern Classic, until I stumbled upon it a several weeks ago at a beautiful bookshop in the Adelaide Hills. Intrigued, I purchased it immediately and over a coffee at a nearby cafe I immersed myself in a work that I soon discovered was both hopeful and beautiful. 

Taken from some of the author's most powerful sermons A Gift Of Love was originally published in 1963, and updated after Dr King was assassinated in 1968, and again in 1981. The sermons focus on strength, the importance of activism and his vision for an America where people are not divided by race. He also speaks of his personal experiences of activism. Personally, I found his account of the Montgomery bus boycott, and his role in it to be absolutely fascinating. Though, it should be stressed also frightening, as Dr King's house was bombed. 

Overall, this is a thought provoking work and one that focuses on the right way to be an activist, though ingenuity and peaceful protest, by being hopeful and, most of all, being motivated by a sense of love and compassion. 

Highly recommended.

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